The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1887-05-14
THE COUNTY TRRAsURERsHIP.

The death of County Treasurer A. M
Hoffman makes 1t necessary for the peo
pie of this county to elect treasurer TO
complete the remainder of his official term
An election for that purpose will therefore
be called In day or two by the County
Clerk, the date of which, as he informs us,
will be fixed for about the middle of June
next. Both the democratic and republican
parties will, undoubtedly, make nomina-
tons of candidates
Under the present circumstances, and In
view of the peculiar situation of county
affairs, nothing could possibly be more In
judicious or imprudent than an undignified
scramble for the democratic nomination
for that office; and 1t is to be hoped. that
such contest will be avoided, and such a
nomination made as will In every particu-
lar commend itself both to the party and
to the people of this county.
While 1t is true that in all questions
purely political, La Sale county is now,
and has been for ten years past, demo
cratic county, the fact remains that on
matters not strictly political, as In dealing
with county offices, political beliefs do not
absolutely find even democrats; and the
tendency to independent action is more
and mere apparent at each recurring cleo
ton. This Is a fact which the democratic
Iarty must at this time fully recognize;
for 1t is not stating 1t too strongly to say
that at this particular election this individ-
uality of voting will unquestionably be
more general than at any election ever held
in this county; and hence the necessity of
naming as the democratic candidate man
who In himself commends himself to the
voters as the right man for the office with.
out the pressure of party ties being called
to his assistance. 1t will not be enough to
say that he IL a democrat That of itself
will not be enough to elect for there are
other elements fully as important rs his
democracy which the candidate must com
bine to ensure success AT this election.
The FREE TRADER has reviewed the
whole field of candidates, present and pros
pective, whose names have been III any way
mentioned as candidates for this office
and we are frank to say that II is our de-
liberate judgment that the very best can.
didate the party can name for the office in
question Is Mr.. JOHN G. MCKEON, for the
past four years and half Deputy County
Clerk
Mr.. McKeon Is young man,-probably
80 years of age. He is active and ener,
getic, efficient, of unquestioned and I'M
questionable integrity, and of irreproacha-
bic habits. His private character is spot
less and his public career a model of
dignity and integrity. In the position he
now fills he has proved himself model
county official The county clerks office
had never been SO ably and SO economical.
ly managed and 1t has passed through
strict, impartial and rigid examination at
the hands of the investigating committee
and no breach of trust or duty and no mac
curacy have been found therein. Mr.. Nc
Keen has been absolutely correct and ex-
act In his work, and absolutely honest. He
has won for himself, by his abilities, not
less than by his pleasant address, the re.
,pect and confidence of all who have come
In contact with him.
His nomination would. We believe, be a
guar anty of success. II would place the
democrats In position to ask for their